Eminence In Shadow- Nah, I’d Win (DxD / Strike The Blood)

Originally, his plan had been simple.

Hand her a drink, let her recover, and leave.

It was cheap, efficient, and kept his mob persona intact.

But instead—

This.

This mess.

And now he couldn't even walk away without looking like an asshole.

"Cid-kun… I'm sorry."

Her voice was small—barely above a whisper.

"I didn't want to waste it.

You gave it to me, so I… I had to drink it."

Cid stared.

What the hell?

Who even thought like that?

And more importantly—

Who the hell gets nauseous from watermelon juice?!

He rubbed his temples.

This girl was more trouble than he'd expected.

In the end, Cid Kagenou found himself spending his own money—even if it technically came from Kanase Kanon's cat fund—to buy her lunch at a café.

And it bothered him.

The logic was simple.

Once he found homes for the cats, the leftover funds would be his.

So, by spending any of it now, it was basically his own money on the line.

And yet—

Here he was.

Sitting across from Kanase Kanon, sipping coffee and waiting for her to finish her meal.

His gaze locked onto her.

Cold. Calculating.

"I… I just don't know how to refuse."

Her voice broke the silence.

"I don't buy it."

Cid leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.

His eyes never left hers.

Kanase Kanon wasn't someone who couldn't say no.

He'd been watching her for months—

And her eyes didn't belong to someone who lacked courage.

"You're not the type who can't stand up for yourself."

His tone was matter-of-fact.

"What you really mean is—you don't know how to refuse someone's kindness."

Her shoulders jerked.

Her eyes fell to the table.

And that was all the confirmation he needed.

It made sense.

Refusing malice was easy.

Refusing kindness?

That took a whole other level of resolve.

And Kanase?

She was too kind.

Too much like Shirley.

Cid's expression softened—just slightly.

"Look," he said, "this might sound harsh, but you need to fix that part of yourself."

"I—I'm sorry."

Her voice trembled as she lowered her head.

"Don't apologize."

His voice cut through the air, firm yet calm.

If he could, he'd walk away from this.

This wasn't his problem.

And honestly?

He had enough on his plate already—

With cats, money, and dark organizations.

But—

He looked at her again.

Those clear, untainted eyes.

Eyes that, one day, would be clouded by regret if he did nothing.

It wasn't heroism.

Not even pity.

Just a moment of weakness.

A rare lapse.

Cid Kagenou, the Eminence in Shadow, would play therapist this once.

"Kanase.

Let me guess what you wanted to ask me."

She blinked.

Her lips parted like she was about to deny it—

But he didn't give her the chance.

"First, answer me this—do you hate Itogami Island?"

She shook her head instantly.

"No. I don't."

"So it's not your idea to leave."

She nodded.

"It's your parents."

Her fingers tightened around her cup.

"Is it because of you? Something you did?"

Kanase's shoulders trembled, but she managed to nod.

"My father… he says the place I'm going is better for me."

"And you? Do you want to go?"

His question hit like a hammer.

Kanase's lips trembled.

She opened her mouth—

Then closed it.

The conversation was starting to feel like an interrogation.

But Cid didn't back down.

People like Kanase Kanon didn't just spill their secrets.

You had to pry them out.

"Kanase."

His tone was gentler this time.

"Forget what your father says.

Forget what anyone else thinks.

What do you want?"

She hesitated—

But this time, she didn't look away.

"I… I don't want to leave."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

But it was there.

A sliver of resolve.

Cid leaned back.

"Then there's your answer."

It wasn't his job to fix her life.

But he'd pushed her enough to at least get the truth out.

If she wanted to stay, she'd have to fight for it.

And if she didn't?

Well—

That was her problem.

He'd already done more than enough.

"I don't want to leave.

I can't leave this island—where my friends are, where the cats need me… and where you are, Cid-kun."

Kanase Kanon's voice trembled, the words spilling out as though she'd been holding them back for far too long.

Her eyes shimmered, brimming with tears she was desperately trying to suppress.

Cid Kagenou sat in silence for a moment, letting her words hang in the air.

The weight behind them was clear—

But so was her hesitation.

"Have you told your parents how you feel?"

It was a pointless question.

Someone with Kanase's personality would never have pushed back.

Sure enough—

"N-no…"

Exactly as he'd expected.

Cid let out a sigh, leaning back in his chair.

His eyes never left hers.

"Kanase."

His voice softened—not with sympathy, but with understanding.

"Have you ever heard of the coin toss theory?"

She blinked, confused.

"It's simple," he continued.

"When you can't decide between two choices, flipping a coin always works.

Not because the coin gives you the right answer—

But because, in the moment it's spinning through the air—

You suddenly know what you're hoping for."

Kanase's lips parted as if to say something, but Cid didn't stop.

"Coming to me—asking me for advice—

That was your coin toss, Kanase.

And the moment you opened your mouth, you already knew what you wanted."

Her breath hitched.

Cid leaned in.

"The real question is—

Do you have the courage to fight for it?"

Her eyes widened.

"Courage?!"

Cid shrugged.

"Call it rebellion if you want.

A little teenage defiance never killed anyone."

"I… I don't understand, Cid-kun."

"Then let me make it simpler."

His voice dropped, calm but pointed.

"Let's say one of your cats suddenly decides it doesn't want your care anymore.

It wants to leave.

What would you do?"

Kanase hesitated.

"I… I'd teach it how to survive?"

Cid froze.

That wasn't the answer he'd been expecting.

It wasn't even close.

For the first time, Cid Kagenou—master schemer, shadow manipulator, and self-proclaimed mastermind—was caught completely off guard.